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China’s Li Na rules out retirement U-turn

Chinese star Li Na ruled out a return to tennis despite quitting the sport just months after winning her second Grand Slam title.

Li, speaking to reporters in Singapore one month after her shock retirement, said she was now busy making up for lost time with her family.

‘Of course I’m not going to come back to tennis. I’m already 32, at the beginning of (next) year I’m going to turn 33,’ she said ahead of the WTA Finals.

‘I think I have to take care of my family right now because I’ve lost 32 years.’

Li had been set to headline the WTA Finals, being played in Singapore for the first time, before she retired citing injuries in September.

Her decision came just months after she won the Australian Open in January and reached a career-high ranking of world number two.

But Li, a trailblazer who has vastly raised the profile of tennis in Asia, said she was now thoroughly enjoying her new life away from the pressures of elite sport.

‘I can have seven days off now. When (Chinese) national day came I could just stay at home,’ she said.

‘I don’t have to worry about the schedule. I used to wake up worrying about that. It’s pretty nice.’
She added: ‘I’m pretty happy to be here (in Singapore).

I’m not training, I’m not playing any matches, I’m just coming here to see old friends.
‘I’m going to be like a fan, just watching some matches.
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